Canada recorded an unprecedented surge in asylum claims filed by international students in 2024, with newly obtained federal data revealing over 20,000 such applications last year—and early indicators show 2025 could see even higher numbers. According to data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), 20,245 international students sought refugee status in 2024. That figure represents a near doubling from the previous year and is six times higher than the number of claims filed in 2019. And the trend is continuing: within the first quarter of 2025 alone, students filed 5,500 asylum claims, marking a 22% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
The growing wave of asylum seekers among study permit holders comes despite Ottawa’s recent decision to sharply reduce the number of international study permits it issues. The federal government announced a 40% cut to study permits last year, capping approvals at around 360,000 to stabilize what has been described as an overstretched immigration system.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, continuing the policy direction of his predecessor Justin Trudeau, has committed to bringing immigration to what he calls “sustainable levels.” At his first press conference on May 2, Carney reiterated plans to cap the combined total of international students and temporary foreign workers to under 5% of Canada’s population by 2027, down from the current 7%. “This will help ease strains on housing, on public infrastructure and social services,” Carney stated, signaling a tighter approach to managing temporary migration streams.
Legal experts argue that the rising asylum numbers reflect the consequences of narrowing pathways to permanent residence, including reduced access to post-graduation work permits and spousal employment rights. Many foreign students now face limited options after graduation, prompting some to seek refugee protection.Data show that certain colleges have become hotspots for student asylum claims. In 2024, Conestoga College led with 720 claims, followed by Seneca College (650), Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (500), Niagara College (495), and Collège Ellis in Trois-Rivières (475).
IRCC maintains that the asylum-seeking population remains a small portion of all permit holders. “Study permits are typically granted for multi-year programs. As a result, the full impact of the recent cap on international students has not yet been realized,” the agency said in a statement.Claimants must demonstrate a legitimate fear of persecution to qualify for refugee protection. Acceptance rates vary widely depending on the claimant’s country of origin, and many face prolonged waits for their cases to be heard. The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada is currently burdened with a backlog of more than 281,000 unresolved cases.With Carney expected to announce his new cabinet—and possibly a new immigration minister—on Tuesday, observers are watching closely to see how the government balances integrity, compassion, and Canada’s global reputation as a destination for education and opportunity.